Inscriptions from Israel and Palestine
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Location

SENA0008

Hermon Mons (Har Senaim). Fragment of a hard limestone altar with ornamentation. Date unknown. Probably a dedication.
Transcription

[no transcription]

Translation

[no translation]

Diplomatic

ΙΔΙΔΕΟ

Terminus post quem:
Terminus ante quem:
Notes
This fragment of an altar is one of a number of Greek inscriptions from Senaim on Mount Hermon. Senaim seems to have functioned as the main cult place for local settlements in the region, an area which was from the Hellenistic period on inhabited by Ituraeans. The inscription was found on the steps to a small temple at the site. The temple itself contained three other altars, one of which bore the figure of Helios. Idideos is not attested as a personal name. It is possible that the form is derived from Zeus Idaios, that is, Zeus who comes from Mount Ida. It would be the dative form Δὶ Ἰδαίῳ with metathesis of the first two letters, omicron for omega, and epsilon for αι, fairly common spellings. The worship of "mountainous" gods, foreign and local, was popular through Syria and Phoenicia. The author notes that should this be the case, it does not necessarily indicate that Idaean Zeus is related directly at Senaim; the dedication may be, for example, from a Cretan soldier passing through who noticed similarities between a local god and Idaean Zeus. Dr. I G Davies indicates that Idideos also might have had a semitic origin, for example the Hebrew yadid (beloved). The author also notes that the semitic name Hadad might also be compared. The inscription is probably a dedication, like the others of its group.

Languages

Dimensions

H: 20 cm; W: 25 cm; D: —

Date

0 CE to 0 CE

Current location

No provenance provided.

Figures

  • ornamentation above the text

Bibliography

Source of diplomatic

No bibliography available for diplomatic transcription.

Source of transcription

No bibliography available for transcription.

Source of translation

No bibliography available for translation.

Other sources

  • Dar, Shimon, and Nikkos Kokkinos. “The Greek Inscriptions From Senaim on Mount Hermon.” Palestine Exploration Quarterly 124 (1992): 9–25.
    Zotero
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The project can be cited as:

Satlow, Michael L., ed. 2002 - . “Inscriptions of Israel/Palestine.” Brown University. https://doi.org/10.26300/PZ1D-ST89

This inscription can be cited as:

"Inscriptions of Israel/Palestine," SENA0008, 13 August 2026. https:doi.org/10.26300/pz1d-st89